The notion lingering in Li Yuntai's mind left Wang Qingchen and the others utterly speechless, bordering on exasperation. Finally, Liu Hao couldn't bear it any longer and addressed Li Yuntai directly. “Yun Tai, I didn't pass the Juren examination either. Does that mean I have no face to return home? Or that I have no right to discuss marriage arrangements?”

“Uh, that’s not quite it…” Li Yuntai shook his head.

“Then that settles it. If it's fine with me, what are you worried about?” Liu Hao countered.

Li Yuntai was momentarily stumped; it seemed he truly had nothing to fret over. Feeling a bit foolish, Li Yuntai realized he had been making a mountain out of a molehill.

Following this, Li Yuntai explained the situation to the county academy’s instructor, packed his belongings, and headed back to Qingshan Town. Li Yuntai’s marriage was set before the year’s end, meaning Wang Qingchen and the others would also be returning then.

The day Li Yuntai departed the county seat, Wang Qingchen was still recovering and couldn't see him off; only Zhao Cheng and the others went. Staying in his room, Wang Qingchen picked up a book—one previously recommended by the Headmaster—but hadn't finished it due to his trip home and recent illness. Now was a good time to catch up.

Before long, Zhao Cheng and Liu Hao returned after seeing Li Yuntai off. Hearing the commotion, Wang Qingchen emerged to inquire about the departure.

Liu Hao reported that Li Yuntai had successfully boarded the carriage back home, then took a sip of water before sighing dramatically. “Well, he’s gone. Now I have to travel back to the county school all by myself. It’s going to be so dull traveling alone!”

Wang Qingchen and Zhao Cheng felt their mouths twitch in response to Liu Hao’s complaint. Wang Qingchen quickly coughed and declared, “I suddenly feel cold again; I think I’d better return to my room!”

With that, Wang Qingchen rather unloyally fled, leaving Zhao Cheng to deal with Liu Hao.

Two days later, feeling sufficiently recovered, Wang Qingchen first visited the Headmaster. He hadn't seen the esteemed teacher for several days and had accumulated quite a few questions he was eager to ask.

The Headmaster was overjoyed to see Wang Qingchen, inquiring kindly about his recent condition. Only after Wang Qingchen assured him everything was well did he begin to address his queries. Finally, upon learning that Wang Qingchen was nearly done with the book he had recommended last time, the Headmaster suggested several new titles.

Wang Qingchen was deeply grateful for the Headmaster’s tireless instruction. In this era, such selfless dedication to teaching, devoid of any personal gain, was exceedingly rare. Thus, Wang Qingchen cherished the Headmaster’s kindness and listened with intense focus to every word spoken.

While the Headmaster enlightened Wang Qingchen, Zhao Cheng listened intently beside him. Whether he had doubts or not, even if he understood the concepts perfectly, listening to the Headmaster’s explanations invariably proved profoundly beneficial.

After leaving the Headmaster’s residence, the two began to discuss their visit, focusing primarily on their interpretations of the material covered.

As they talked, Zhao Cheng remarked, “If Brother Xia were here, he’d probably have a different perspective, wouldn’t he?”

Wang Qingchen paused, considered it, and agreed. “Indeed, he likely would! I wonder where they are now—have they reached the capital city yet?”

“Given the time elapsed, they should have arrived,” Zhao Cheng chimed in.

The individuals they spoke of had, in fact, just arrived home. They had barely set down their luggage before heading to pay respects to Madam Xia on behalf of their sister.

Having been away for so long, Xia Wentao immediately sensed a palpable shift in the atmosphere of the manor—it was undeniably subdued. Logically, by this time, his younger half-sister and that young man, Fu Lan, should have finalized their wedding date; perhaps the betrothal gifts had even been delivered. The manor should have been filled with an air of festivity, but this was clearly not the case.

Upon reaching Madam Xia, the sight of her son and daughter returning filled her face with warmth. “Ah, it’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back. Did you have fun visiting your uncle?”

Xia Wentao and Xia Wanting both nodded. Xia Wanting added, “Brother made many friends on the journey, and Brother took me out sightseeing while we were at Uncle’s house.”

Madam Xia smiled affectionately, gently stroking her daughter’s head. “Just like when Mother took you out exploring before?”

“Yes! Brother even took me to see the chrysanthemum blossoms. So many of them were in full bloom; the scenery was absolutely breathtaking,” Xia Wanting exclaimed.

“I suspect you nagged your brother into it. Otherwise, given his disposition, he wouldn’t have thought to take you out. I recall you promising to look after your brother throughout the journey. Now, I feel like the roles have been reversed, and he’s been taking care of you?” Madam Xia teased her daughter.

Xia Wanting stuck out her small tongue sheepishly. Seeing both her brother and mother smiling at her, she became even more embarrassed, her face flushing crimson. She then nestled into Madam Xia’s embrace, protesting softly, “Mother…”

“Haha, alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Sit up properly now. You’re practically grown up, yet you still act spoiled with your mother!” Madam Xia said.

Xia Wanting obeyed, settling back into her seat, and began recounting the sights and humorous anecdotes from their travels to Madam Xia. As she listened to her daughter’s animated descriptions—watching her switch between moments of annoyance and lively gesticulation—Madam Xia reflected that sending her son to escort her daughter had been the right decision. Her daughter looked so much better now, having regained her former vibrancy.

After Xia Wanting had spoken for a while, Madam Xia dismissed her to rest, reasoning that the journey had been arduous, and her delicate daughter must surely be exhausted.

Xia Wanting indeed felt the weariness of travel, so she didn't refuse and returned to her own courtyard with her maidservant.

Once her daughter had left, Madam Xia turned to her son, inquiring about his journey. Knowing Madam Xia worried about her sister, Xia Wentao did not conceal anything and recounted everything that had transpired on the road.

After hearing the account, Madam Xia was quite pleased with how her daughter had been treated on the journey. She nodded to her son. “Yes, you did very well. Ting’er is fortunate to have a brother like you. However, I hope you continue this way in the future. Whether your sister is married or not, you must always look out for her.”

Meeting Madam Xia’s earnest gaze, Xia Wentao replied solemnly, “Mother, you don't need to worry about that. Ting’er is my biological sister; of course, I will protect her well-being.”

Madam Xia nodded in satisfaction. “That’s good, that’s good. Now that you’ve said that, Mother is relieved.”

Having finished discussing his sister, Xia Wentao suddenly recalled another matter and inquired, “Mother, since returning, I find the manor excessively quiet. Shouldn't there be some air of celebration right now?”

Hearing her son bring this up, Madam Xia sniffed dismissively. “Hmph! A mere concubine’s daughter’s betrothal, and she expects the whole manor to share in her joy? Doesn't she fear tempting fate!”

Hearing his mother’s words, Xia Wentao gently reminded her, “Mother, she is a Di Nü now!”

“Di Nü? Does she deserve that title? The only true Di Nü of this manor is your sister,” Madam Xia scoffed.

Hearing his mother’s displeasure, Xia Wentao wasn't sure how to placate her and could only offer a dry chuckle. “Mother, please calm down. Don't let her ruin your health with anger.”

“Forget it. Why should I be angry? I am overjoyed right now, so how could I be angry?” Madam Xia continued, a trace of smug satisfaction in her voice. “That wretched girl’s illness is worsening day by day. She gets breathless just walking a few steps. How could there be any festive atmosphere in the manor? Besides, she is now irrevocably the Fu family’s daughter-in-law, which has clearly made her conceited. I heard from the servants that her temper has been growing lately! The servants in the manor probably walk miles out of their way to avoid her now. Who dares provoke her? They are all just waiting for her to marry into the Fu family quickly!” Madam Xia spoke with disdain.

Although Xia Wentao didn't harbor deep ill will toward his half-sister, he found it hard to picture her being temperamental or haughty. Nevertheless, since she was about to marry, he certainly wouldn't interfere with her affairs.

The thought of marriage made Xia Wentao remember something else he hadn't mentioned yet. “Mother, on the road to my uncle’s this time, I encountered a friend. I think he would be an excellent candidate for my sister’s husband.”

“Oh?” Madam Xia’s interest was piqued. “Tell me quickly. Let me hear if he is truly suitable.”

“Ah!” Xia Wentao then began to speak of Wang Qingchen.

“His family is from Wangjia Village, in the same county as my uncle, down the road. He is already a Juren, about the same age as my sister. He has an elder brother who is already married to a woman from an ordinary farming family. I also heard his mother has a kind disposition; if my sister marries in, she should get along well and not suffer much,” Xia Wentao explained.

“But…” Madam Xia frowned. “But their social standing is too low. How can they possibly be worthy of your sister?” Madam Xia hesitated; in her estimation, her daughter deserved someone far better.